Central Coast News

Errol Baker, President of the Empire Bay Boat Shed Association and Peter Rea, local Historian and Member of the Central Coast Council Heritage Committee updated the club on the campaign to date and the tremendous community support the Save the Empire Bay Boat Shed campaign is garnering.

As the Boat Shed nears its Centenary, the implications of losing it are dawning on local’s. Errol Baker said “We already have 780 hours of local tradie support pledged for the restoration. Builders, carpenters and even sparkies have come out of the woodwork signing up to help for free – we just need some support and goodwill from local and state governments.”

“This is such a beloved part of the local community, we need to save and restore the building so it can be used by community, pay its own way and continue its vital role in educating current and future generations about the proud history of boat building on Brisbane Water.”

“The Boat Shed has good bones – we know the cost of restorations, around the $200,000 mark, would repay itself within the first few years of operation as a community asset.”

Peter Rea said, “The Heritage Report states that this Boat Shed is a significant piece of local history.

The building is one of the last of hundreds that were once on Brisbane Water. We have a vast array of historical artefacts that currently don’t have a home. Imagine if we could restore this site, house our Central Coast boat building history and generate income to maintain the site for generations to follow.”

“The Boat Shed has fallen into disrepair under the management and custodianship of NSW Crown Lands and currently requires restoration, as well as site remediation to address contamination in some areas of the lease.”

“It just makes no sense to let this wonderful part of our history degenerate and potentially disappear from future generations.”

The community came out in their hundreds to support the Save the Empire Bay Boat Shed campaign in a pre-election BBQ last November. The next step in the campaign is for a follow-up event at 12pm on 22 July to show our local politicians and council that the community will not stand for demolition – this building must be restored and Gosford City Rotary will stand with the community to ensure this important local part of our heritage is saved. More information here.

Gosford City Rotary meets every Wednesday morning at 7.15am at Baker Street Café, 6 Baker St, Gosford. We welcome visitors and new members e: Contact Email or website here